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Next summer's World Cup is finally beginning to seem very real. Although fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, the recent ceremony in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a clash between football's top strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a highly anticipated encounter between two greats of the game.

The Draw That Felt Like It May Never End

Many people tuned in eager to discover their national side's group stage fixtures. But, despite the fact supporters are used to these draws being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After performances by Robbie Williams and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from political leaders and football's governing body, plus countless video packages and discussions, it finally seemed to get going almost 60 minutes later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and performances, before the actual draw eventually began around 90 minutes after the star-studded show initially started. The selection then required almost an hour to complete.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are hardly any matches between the major nations. England's match with Croatia is the most significant theoretically. That is the only group fixture featuring two teams inside the world's elite.

Brazil versus Morocco is the next best. The Dutch have the toughest group by Fifa world rankings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the easiest on paper. But, compelling contests still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Face Off

Phenomenal striker Norway's star will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to rival the 25-year-old's ridiculous scoring records—except for one player is set to face him in the final round of the group stage. Together with Senegal, The Nordic side have been drawn against Kylian Mbappe's France.

This means the leading scorers in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect net-bulgers. Lots of goals.

A Familiar Foe

El Tri will take on South Africa in the first game—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable group game will see France again come up against the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that opening night, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Dream Ties for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to qualify for the finals for the first occasion. However, awaiting them are former world champions, European champions and South American champions.

In one group, Curacao, the least populous country to ever play at a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and former champions La Roja.

The Middle Eastern side, after decades of trying, meets defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Selecao das Quinas.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the favorites make it safely through their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the big hitters to meet. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between former champions the Germans and France.

On the opposite half of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries Messi and the Portuguese are lined up for a possible showdown. It would require both Argentina and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the early knockout rounds.

Regarding the Three Lions, a match with tournament hosts seems the most likely first knockout game. Should the Scots progress, Japan or the Netherlands could await in what would be their historic World Cup knockout fixture.